[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E149-E150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMENDING NORTH JERSEY MAYORS AND COUNCILMEMBERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSH GOTTHEIMER

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2018

  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the mayors of 
Sussex and Warren Counties, who convened last month for my Fifth 
District Mayors Summit. I'm proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with 
these leaders to save taxpayer dollars, invest in critical 
infrastructure, improve rural broadband connectivity, and provide law 
enforcement and firefighters with the resources they need to protect 
our communities.
   In North Jersey, we are paying far too much in taxes and getting far 
too little in return. My District pays some of the highest taxes in the 
nation, yet we receive only 33 cents back for every dollar we send to 
Washington. Compare that rate to that of the ``Moocher States'' 
including Mississippi, whose citizens receive $4.38 back for every 
dollar they send to D.C. These states are giving themselves relief and 
sticking New Jersey with the bill.
   We must continue working hard at the local level to stop New Jersey 
from becoming America's piggy bank. With the new challenges created by 
the recently passed Tax Hike Bill, we have to be more creative than 
ever in bringing federal dollars to the District and fighting for 
federal grants to boost our return on investment. Our mayors have 
already seen record successes in earning grants that support our cops, 
firefighters, and towns. For example, in Wantage Township, the Fire 
Department received $102,000 in federal funds for safety and operations 
through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to 
Firefighters Grant (AFG) program--the first AFG grant awarded to 
Wantage in thirteen years.
   In Belvidere, the town received more than $1 million in federal 
excess equipment programs--more than $857 per family--through which the 
Police Department and Department of Public Works received equipment. 
That equipment included fifteen workstation computers, a network 
server, trucks, trailers, and six generators that can function as an 
electric power plant and provide electricity to the Fire Department, 
Police Department, and two storm shelters in the event of a major 
storm. Our work together is about fighting for North Jersey and helping 
our residents reduce their tax burden.
   I am leaving no stone unturned in clawing back federal resources for 
New Jersey and hope that by shining a light on these public servants, 
our mayors can build on their success, and save more money for their 
towns and taxpayers. There is nothing partisan about this; it's just 
good for New Jersey.
   This year, I am thankful for the fourteen mayors and leaders who 
attended our summit, rolled up their sleeves, and put in the weekend 
hours to help strengthen their towns:

[[Page E150]]

   Hackettstown Mayor Maria DiGiovanni
   Andover Borough Mayor John Morgan
   Andover Township Mayor Janis McGovern
   Allamuchy Mayor Keith DeTombeur
   Mansfield Township Mayor Joseph Watters
   Washington Borough Mayor Dave Higgins
   Hope Mayor Timothy McDonough
   Newton Mayor Wayne Levante
   Independence Mayor Robert Giordano
   Allamuchy Deputy Mayor Elliott Koppel
   Hackettstown Councilman Matt Engelau
   Hackettstown Councilman Jerry DiMaio
   Hackettstown Councilman James Lambo
   Hackettstown Councilman Scott Sheldon
   I thank them for their service. I am lucky to partner with this 
bipartisan group for the good of the Fifth District.

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